Odometer mechanism



May 16, 1933.

J. ZUBATY ODOMETER MECHANI SM Filed Aug.

'f The speedometer will Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH ZUBATY, OF

FLIN'T, IICHIGAN, ASSIGNOB T0 A C SPARK PLUG COHIPAINY, 0F FLINT, MICHIGAN, A COIPANY 0F MICHIGAN ODOIETEE IECHANISE Application led August 10, 192B. Serial No. $88,885.

This invention relates to measuring instruments and has been designed more especially as an improvement in the odometer mechanism used together with the speed measuring mechanism of a speedometer for vehicles.

The invention relates particularly to the transfer mechanism by which the number wheels of higher denomination are driven by the wheels of lower denomination and to that type of transfer mechanism making use of internal gearing.

An ob]ect of the `invention is to provide an improved transfer pinion mounting.,

Another object is to simplify the construction by the omission of the commonly used transfer pinion shaft.

As further objects, compactness, ease of assembly, low cost should be mentioned.

In the drawing:

Figurevl is a view in partsI removed g Figure 2 is a vertical section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary `view in elevation showing the transfer pinion supporting frame and its mounting; and

Figure 4 is a detail 1n perspective.

Referring by reference characters to the drawing, numeral 9 is used to designate the main supporting framee YIt supports the speed indicating mechanism and on this frame is also supported the odometer or mileage recording mechanism. The mileage recording mechanism consists primarily of two sets of ligure wheels and two sets of star or transfer pinions. There is shown an upper set of figure wheels,one of which is designated by numeral 11. nly one of the wheels of the lower or trip9 set is shown. It is indicated by numeral 15., A plurality of transfer pinions 10 are used between the adjacent Wheels of wheel of higher denomination is intermittently rotated by the rotation of the next adjacent Wheel of lower denomination.

The driving means for the odometer is not a part of this invention and is not fully illustragted. There is shown a gear 12 which is the primary driving gear of the odometer. be provided as usual front elevation with each set whereby each with a driven shaft, frame 9 having a vertical bore therefor as at 6. This shaft is driven by a flexible drive shaft as usual and when so driven, it is used to drive the driven'parts vof the speedometer and also, through the instrumentality of intermediate gearing, to drive gear 12.. Any suitable drive connection may be employed between gear 12 and the iirst figure wheel 11.

Fordriving the trip set of wheels there is an idler 13 driven by gear 12 and itself driving gear 1i on the shaft 16 of the trip set of wheels. Gear 14 drives the lowest denomination wheel 15 of he trip set through any suitable clutch connection. The frame has a passage for a reset spindle used to break the drive to the trip set of wheels. Said reset spindle carries means to restore the gure wheels to zero position. These drive connections and the reset provision form no part of the invention and the structure is not fully illustrated, being well known.

Between successivedi re wheels of each set are stamped plates 1 Each plate 17 is apertured to be mounted on the shaft carrying the wheels, on shaft 16 as shown on Figure 3, forexample. The plates 17 are substantially circular and of equal radius with the gure wheels. Each has an outwardly directed arm 18 extending from its periphery.

'The frame 9 is formed with a groove 19 which receives the arms 18. By the engagement of the plate 17 with the shaft and the groove-19 it is held in fixed position.

The stamped plate 17 has an arm 20 angularly bent therefrom as shown best in Figure el and Figure 4 1t also has a portion o posite arm 20 depressed from the plane o the stamping as at 20". Between parts 20 and 20P is a stub shaft 21 mounted in these parte and carrying a star pinion 10.

The ligure wheels are circumferentially provided with ligures from 0 to 9 and within their peripheries are provided with internal teeth (3o-operating with the transfer pinion in such a way that a complete rotation of a wheel of lower denomination rotates the wheel of next higher denomination one-tenth oi a revolution.

The specific arrangement for operating through the transfer pinion while not a part of this invention, is shown in Figure 4 and may be briefly described. In this ligure, nu-

meral 15 is used to show in a fragmentary way a Wheel of lower denomination and wheel Al5 is a wheel of higher denomination. yWithin wheel 15 on its side adjacent wheel 15 are two teeth 31. extending axially and radially inward. Between these teeth is a deep space 32. The adjacent face of wheel 15 has a complete set of teeth 33. The transfer pinion has an intermediate web 34. On one sideof the web are teeth 35 in driving engagement `with teeth 33. Teeth 35 are also continued on the other side of the web, alternate teeth being elongated as at 35'; As the wheel l5 rotates two alternate long teeth 35 engage the inner periphery of the gear ring carrying teeth 31, whereby the pinion can not rotate thus holding wheel 15 from turning. When teeth 31 engage and drive teeth 35 thelong tooth 35 overlies the deep space 32 so that the rotation of pinion and wheel 15 is possible. After wheel 15 turns so that its teeth 31 are beyond teeth 35, two long teeth again hold the pinion from turning.

It `will be understood that the modification of the die cast frame to provide groove 19 is comparatively inexpensive. It will also be apparent that the vstamping 17 is easily made and of inexpensive material. The asscmbly of the transfer pinion between parts 20 and 20 makes a complete unit easily sli pcd into position. The construction provi`es a very compact assembly and avoids the use of the usual frame carried transfer pinion shaft.

I claim:

In a measuring instrument comprising a frame, coaxial ligure' wheels, a' shaftv therefor and coaxial therewith, said ligure wheels having internal teeth, a stamped plate mounted on said shaft between-adjacent wheels in a manner to permit the rotation of said shaft relatively to said plate and having bearings to carry a transfer pinion, said platefurther provided with a substantially radial arm and said frame having a groove to receive said arm and prevent rotation of said plate and pinion about the axis of saidl shaft.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

rJOSEPH ZUBATY. 

